[MLS SPOTLIGHT] A majority of 2014 U.S. World Cup players will likely come from MLS teams -- in a sharp contrast to four years ago when only four of 23 players
were based in MLS -- but the MLS pool of players Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has to pick from remains quite small. A survey of the front sixes MLS clubs started last
week shows that just 40 percent of the midfielders and forwards are Americans eligible for the national team.

Liberal import rules mean MLS teams can give international player slots to
eight players, more if they want to trade for slots, and that doesn't include players who hold green cards. The dilemma is nothing new. In many leagues, foreigners hold down key attacking
positions.

Only five of 19 teams -- including Philadelphia in its second game of the week -- started a majority of American players in their front sixes last week.

Two teams
-- Portland and Vancouver -- did not start any Americans eligible for the national team -- the Timbers' Canadian international Will Johnson is American -- while
three marquee matches -- Portland-Real Salt Lake, Vancouver-LA Galaxy and FC Dallas-Toronto FC -- were played with only two U.S. national team-eligible players holding down the 12 midfield and forward
spots.

Looking toward the future, just 10 of the American starters were under the age of 24. Of those 10, three were rookies and three were second-year pros.

After the USA
with 45 starters in front six positions, Argentina led all other countries with 11 starters, followed by Brazil with nine, Canada with six and France and England with five.

Of note were
the number of foreigners with college experience (13), and how few Americans had not played college soccer (7). All told, almost 44 percent of the players (51 of 116) had college experience.

Of note is the number of US players up front for San Jose, a Frank Yallup built team that two years ago won the Supporters Shield, with a very low budget, and a predominant US lineup. And who now has 4 out of 6 attackers from the US -- Frank Yallup in Chicago. Because he builds teams, rather than just throwing money at foreign skill players and hoping for the best. Kuddos to Ben Olson in DC and Pablo in Denver, two intelligent former US midfielders who seem to be attempting something similar.